% From TeXMaG Volume 2, Number 6
% Don Hosek <DHOSEK@HMCVAX.BITNET>
%
\long\def\epigram#1{% We use \long\def to allow the argument
                    % to span several paragraphs.
    \bigskip       % extra space above.
    \setbox0=\hbox{#1} % put the text into a box
    \ifdim\wd0>\critwidth %check the length
         \centerline{\vtop{\hsize=\episize\noindent#1}}
              % If the length is greater than
              % the critical length, make a
              % displayed paragraph
    \else          % otherwise, we just center the text.
         \centerline{\box0}
    \fi
    \smallskip     % extra space for the end.
}
     
\newdimen\critwidth          \critwidth=.75\hsize
\newdimen\episize            \episize=.6\hsize
